Happy Parents' Day

There are many popular media narratives depicting images of parents of various types. A few are referenced to  as the evil and wicked mother or step-mother , the doting daddy or the absentee father  or even the daddy who has no clue and so is referenced to as the joke of the family. These are all just representations of what the media portrays as reflections of our society. The sad part is many of us believe these representations and so they help to form the ways in which we think of our parents. Just remember, media representations are just purely that, representations. Pictures, TV, computers and other technological innovations have the amazing ability to persuade us using our emotions. Just ask any graphic designer, visual arts director, or a budding digital media content creator. They know the power of persuasion. Whatever the case may be, we are called to interrogate everything that we view, watch, hear  or perceive. We can either choose to accept it, negotiate with it, or just reject it.

The bible is very clear on how our parents should be represented. Let’s visit Psalms 124:3-5 using The Message (MSG ) version. It reads, don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb His generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep. There you have it, children are meant to defend the honour and dignity of their parents. They are meant to provide counterarguments against the tongues of their accusers. God gave parents the choicest of gifts, a very powerful and potent secret weapon against the strategies and tactics of the enemy. You may ask why? Because parents are highly esteemed before God. Why? Because God is a Father and He is our Abba Father, filled with grace, mercy, compassion and stirs us to purpose. Also, He gave mankind the best gift of all His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ stands as our Mediator by His blood shed on the cross against the constant accusations of the accuser of the brethren. By the blood of Jesus Christ and the confessions of our sins, Abba Father stands always ready to say not guilty on our behalf.

Jesus' earthly parents were not rock stars.  His earthly father Joseph was a carpenter and His mother Mary was a very young teenager. He was born to them in a manger. They did the best they could do for him and that was all that mattered. Jesus had compassion for His mother even during His suffering. According to John 19: 24-27, while the soldiers were looking after themselves, Jesus’ mother, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross. Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her. He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son”. Then to the disciple, “Here is your mother”. From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother. Jesus , in the midst of His suffering found time to honor His mother just before His death. Exodus 20:12 says  honour your father and  mother so that you will live a long time in the land that God, your God is giving you. It turns out that Jesus did live long. He was resurrected from the tomb and now  lives eternally.

Our parents, including those who have stood as proxies in our lives in whatever way, have made mistakes. We are not called to make excuses for them. However, as children we are called to show mercy and compassion in whatever way. Also, pray for them that they will see the blessings of the Lord manifest in their lives. We celebrate parents who have done wonderful jobs in raising their children regardless of the circumstance or situation. Happy Parents’ Day always and Happy Mother's day in advance. Shalom.